2012 was a huge year for Android. Jelly Bean hit the stage, Android tablets really came into their own, and we showed you how to install a new kernel, choose a great ROM, hack your Android tablets, more. Here's a look back at the most popular Android posts and downloads this year.

Whether you're tired of your stock home screen or just want a new and different way to interact with your Android device, you can probably find an Android launcher at Google Play that's just right for you. More »

The Nook Simple Touch is great for reading ebooks. It's got plenty of storage, it's small enough to carry anywhere, can be used with one hand, can hold tons of books, its e-ink display is crisp and easy to read, and most importantly, it runs a skinned version of Android. More »

I'll come right out and say it: I'm not a big fan of Instagram. And no, it's not because iOS users have had their underpants in a wad over the Android release, but because for me, it really doesn't live up to the hype. More »

The beauty of Android is that it's so customizable, and Android keyboards are no exception. There are keyboards available for every type of typist, whether you prefer to hunt and peck, turn your phone sideways and use both thumbs, or swipe across the screen with one finger. More »

If you've ever thought "I wish my Android phone would do [X] whenever [Y] happened"-for example, text your significant other whenever you leave work; silence your phone when you walk into a movie; or turn on your ringer when you wake up in the morning-Tasker makes it possible. More »

There are dozens of great web browsers available for Android, depending on the features you're looking for. Whether it's syncing with your desktop, or super-speedy browsing, or support for flash navigation, you have options galore-some of them popular, others not so much. More »

Your home media center may be awesome, but it doesn't do you much good when you're at a friend's place and desperate to watch the Game of Thrones finale, get in a few laps on Mario Kart, or listen to a great new band you discovered. More »

We're all decluttering our closets and basements in celebration of spring, but it's time for a break. Kick back on the couch, pull up your Android phone, and act like you're still being productive by giving it some spring cleaning of its own. More »

Oddly enough, there aren't too many contact management tools for Android that aren't also dialer replacements, or focused entirely on replacing whatever built-in tool you have on your device already. More »

There are so many great ereaders for Android that it's exceptionally difficult to select just one, and the one that works best for you may depend heavily on where you get your ebooks and what format they come in. More »

Google announced the next version of Android, named Jelly Bean, today. It has a ton of improvements in notifications, speed and smoothness, and a new feature called Google Now that gives you useful real-time information based on where you are and what's coming up in your calendar. More »

Android: The Wi-Fi hotspot feature on Android phones lets you use your mobile data on multiple computers or tablets at once. The only problem is a lot of carriers have restrictions to prevent you from sharing your mobile data (which you're already paying for) for free. More »

You may have heard about how flashing a new ROM can improve your Android experience, but flashing a new kernel is one of the best ways to improve your phone's performance, battery life, and even add some saucy new features. More »

There you have it! We had way more Android-related posts, features, downloads, and apps than we could ever possibly highlight in a roundup like this, so head over to our Android tagpage to see more. Want to see what topped the charts in the past? Here are the top Android posts from 2011 and 2010.